Fine after employee killed operating ride-on lawnmower
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that MHS Countryside Management Limited had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient site-specific risk assessment for the work being undertaken.
The investigation also established that the mower’s roll-over protection system (ROPS) had been removed at some point prior to the work taking place. ROPS are designed to protect operators in the event of a machine overturning and are a critical safety feature when working on uneven or sloping ground.
Read more on the HSM website.
Immingham metal fabrication company sentenced after seven workers develop vibration-related illnesses
A metal fabrication company based at Immingham Docks in North East Lincolnshire has been sentenced after pleading guilty to exposing multiple employees to vibration risks at work.
HSE became aware in June 2024 of three reports of vibration-related illness among employees of Drury Engineering Services Ltd. An investigation was opened and an Improvement Notice served on the company to control the ongoing risk.
The notice was served because the company had failed to reduce employees’ vibration exposure to as low a level as reasonably practicable through organisational and technical measures.
Learn more on the HSE Website.
Rise in unsatisfactory fire safety inspections raises concerns
THE LATEST figures from GOV.UK show that fire safety concerns are at an all-time high, with the number of unsatisfactory audits and formal notices served soaring. Of the 51,026 fire safety audits carried out in 2024/25, 42% (21,312) were found to be unsatisfactory, with almost 3,000 premises served formal notices.
Unsatisfactory fire safety audits have increased steadily over the last eight years from 17,320 in 2016/17 to 21,312 in 2024/25, a rise of 23%. Additionally, formal notices served to premises owners have also risen from 2,044 in 2016/17 to 2,990 in 2024/25, an alarming 46% increase in the last 8 years.
The statistics from GOV.UK also raise concerns about the lack of fire safety audits carried out on a yearly basis, with just 2% of all premises that require regular audits having them carried out in each of the last 6 years. There are over 2.5 million known premises that require fire safety audits in the UK, and premises should ideally be audited by a competent person carried out every 3 years.
Father of three electrocuted at Devon biogas site as two companies ignored safety warnings
Two companies have been fined after an employee was killed and a colleague left with life-altering injuries when a cherrypicker collided with an overhead powerline.
Willand O&M Ltd and New Wave Marine Ltd were sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on 3 March 2026 following an incident on 1 June 2020 at the Willand Biogas site, Hide Market Road, Cullompton, in Devon. Carl Parsons, 34, was electrocuted and colleague Luke Madavan, AGE, was left with life-changing injuries
Described by his family as funny, loving, kind and a fantastic father, Carl Parsons was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle, well-loved by everyone who knew him. He left behind a wife and three children.
Read more about the incident on the HSE website.
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